NEW ENGLAND AQUARIUM
DIVE CLUB, INC.
NEWSLETTER
September 2001NEADC Web Site:
NEADC GENERAL MEETINGWEDNESDAY, September 19, 2001 GUEST SPEAKERS from NEARS: Dale Findlay, current President, and Rob Falk, Director of Marketing and Education. The presentation will center around a video (approximately 20 minutes in length) and a PowerPoint Slide show about the work required to prepare a ship for becoming a artificial reef based on the sinking and diving of the "HMCS Yukon" in San Diego and the Slide Show is about the NEARS organization including Reef project status and recent newspaper articles talking about the state of fishing and lobstering in New England. Our "pitch" will be that we need everyone’s help to make artificial reefs a reality in New England and we encourage all to join and contribute to its success.
NEWSLETTER DEADLINE
Submit your news for the next Newsletter by
Monday, September 24, 2001!
(Saturday after the GENERAL MEETING) for the October EDITION of the NEADC Newsletter. Submissions should be forwarded by e-mail at / INFORMAL MEETING
WEDNESDAY, October 3, 2001, AT 6:30 P.M. at the home of Nancy Papagno in Needham. Directions on Page 2
PHOTO CONTEST
Your underwater photograph could be selected for the 2001 badges. See details for submission Page 6.
THIS MONTH'S CONTENTS
Officers/Voice Mail/Directions...... Page 2
Members’ Advertising...... Page 2
From the Officers...... Pages 3-4
25th Anniversary Party...... Page 5
Photo Exhibition & Contest...... Page 6
Upcoming Trips...... Page 7
Trip Reports...... Pages 7-8
Marine Mammals Stranding Training 10/13/01Page 9
New England Dive Shop - Discover Diving..Page 10
Boat Dives...... Page 11
Dive Schedule...... Page 11
Membership Application...... Page 12
25th Anniversary Party
See Page 5 for details!
CHANGE OF ADDRESS FORM
If your address has changed recently please fill out this form and mail it to:
Karl See, Membership Director, New England Aquarium, Central Wharf, Boston, MA 02110
OLD ADDRESS:NEW ADDRESS:
Name:Name:
Street:Street:
City:City:
State/Zip:State/Zip:
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President - Maryhelen Shuman-Groh, P. O. Box 70, Raynham, MA 02767; (508) 821-4704,
Vice President - Caroline Starita, (978) 251-1520,
Business Manager - Steve Groh, (508) 821-4704,
Boat Dive Coordinator - Veronica Atlantis 781-272-1387,
Shore Dive Coordinator - Ken Mulzet (617) 666-4984,
Newsletter Editor - Stéphanie Williams, (978) 922-2908,
Program Director - Al Bozza (508)-384-1377,
Membership Director – Jim Carozza (617) 973-3821
Secretary- Brandy Derickson, (603) 436-6424
Environmental Affairs- Alicia Lenci (617) 889-1486,
Webmaster - Bryce Flynn (508) 543-9761
NEADC VOICE MAIL SYSTEM: Please call (617)973-0240
DIRECTIONS TO INFORMAL MEETING:
The October Informal Meeting will be held on Wednesday, October 3, 2001 6:30 p.m. at the Home of Nancy Papagno 19 Mt. Vernon Ave., Needham - 781-449-3805
6:30 p.m. at the Home of Nancy Papagno 19 Mt. Vernon Ave., Needham (781) 449-3805
GOING NORTH ON 128, take Exit 18 "Great Plain Ave. - West Roxbury"
Go right off ramp app. 1.2 miles. You will have passed a Mobil station and a drug store on the right. Three or four streets after, at the LEFT BEND - make a SHARP RIGHT turn onto Mt. Vernon Ave.
Seventh house up on the left, cedar shingled, #19
ON 128 SOUTH, take Exit 19A - "Highland Ave - Needham" (not Newton)Go to the 2nd light (passing the light at Muzi Ford).
Make a LEFT at Webster Street.
About one mile down (passing the high school on the right), make a LEFT at the light at Great Plain Ave.
EXACTLY 1/2 mile later, the road makes a wide bend to the right like a C... DO NOT BEND! Make a LEFT (which will seem like you are going straight) at Mt. Vernon Ave.
Seventh house up on the left, cedar shingled, #19
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MEMBERS’ ADVERTISING
NEWSLETTER AD POLICY: Dive related ads for NEADC Members will be free with the following stipulations: 1. Must be current NEADC member; 2. Ad must be 25 words or less; 3. Ad must be submitted electronically; 4. Ad must be sent to the Newsletter Editor prior to Deadline; 5. Ad will be placed for one month only (ads may be renewed by resubmission as stated above). NOTE: This will NOT affect Website policy. Website does NOT contain member advertising.
COMMERCIAL and NON-MEMBER ADVERTISING RATES
Full Page $90/insertion; Half Page $50/insertion; Quarter Page $30/insertion; Eighth Page $20/insertion
10% discount for 4 or more insertions per calendar year. 20% discount for 8 or more insertions per calendar year.
Send questions and submissions to the Newsletter Editor. Ad fees must be paid in advance
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Gear for sale:
Dacor Nautica BC SM in mint condition. Used 1 season-only $150.
Poseidon Biscaya Tec BC LG in good condition $150 or best offer.
or Dorothy Sands 781-391-2991
Gear for sale:
Men’s large wetsuit (165-185lbs) Farmer John 6mm with hood, boots, mitts and gloves. Excellent condition. $150.00
Also, older wetsuit men’s large, fair condition. $75
Call 617-328-0077
For rent:
DIVE FOR TROPICALS IN NEWPORT
Oceancliff 1 bdrm condo, sleeps 4, 1 mile f/Kings Beach, across f/Wetherill, right on the Bay, 10/19–10/26.
781-449-3805; ; pix at eAtlantis.com
Gear for sale:
Mares 3 regulator, Seaquest ADVI BCD (medium), Sherwood Octopus, Sherwood Gauge set(Depth/pressure/compass/digital dive timer), Luxfor 80 cu/ft Tank/boot and Sherwood valve - Never used.
Top of the line setup- Originally $1450, Will let go for $650 O.B.O
617-247-1973
John Kurkomelis
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FROM YOUR PRESIDENT Maryhelen Shuman-Groh
What can I say except - GO TO THE 25th ANNIVERSARY PARTY on October 7th. A lot of time and effort has gone into this event and I really hope you will ALL attend. Wouldn’t it be fabulous to have the entire membership in one place at one time? That’s 500 of us! Plus all those people who have been members and officers over the past years. Please help spread the word!
FROM YOUR VICE PRESIDENT Caroline Starita
Interested in NEADC logowear? Please talk to or e-mail Vice President, Caroline Starita. She has many samples of various items that will be available for purchase. Right now, we’re trying to determine what items people are most interested in purchasing. We hope to have information on the website soon.
FROM YOUR BOAT DIVE COORDINATOR Veronica Atlantis, photos by Peter Donahue
Sharks and other Boogie Men
Lately there has been a lot of media press about shark attacks in Florida, the Bahamas and even scares off of Cape Cod. Being a "shark lover" I will try to refrain from ranting and raving ...
It appears that the media loves this sort of thing perhaps because our current President is well behaved and that there is no news in that department to write about. Or maybe because it's the summer and they need a "shocking" summer story.
I was down Cape Cod July 19-21 when I heard about this "monster shark fishing tournament" in Martha's Vineyard. A former work-mate of mine (who happens to think sharks are "evil and a pox to the beaches") told me that 1,500 sharks were caught off of Oaks Bluff. She was horrified to THINK that so many sharks were "cruising the beaches" but, thankfully, eliminated. Needless to say, I was sick for days after hearing that 1,500 sharks were killed for the sake of some macho sport.
I decided to do some research and find out more about this "shark hunt" before I decided to write this article.
Through careful research I contacted the Boston Big Game club's captain. The captain turned out to be not only a true sportsman but a gentleman as well. He was concerned about the future of sharks survival as well. Yes, they did catch 1,500 sharks but 1,470 were released and tagged. Thirty were taken and the meat was donated to the Boston food bank. A record setting Mako that weighed 1,210 pounds was caught and used for food.
It was interesting to know what species of sharks do exist in our NE waters such as threshers, makos, blues and even hammerheads.
I personally don't like fishing or lobstering but I am sane enough to appreciate the people who do that follow the rules and treat the animals that bring them dinner on the table with RESPECT.
I think as divers if we are lucky enough to see sharks in the wild it is like a gift. On August 4th I was that lucky.
I was crewing on the Easy Diver dive charter boat that day. We were diving north of Foley point. I was on the boat when divers Kevin and Linsley Mordasky yelled out to me, "Sharks!! Hundreds of them!!” I first thought they were joking then realized they weren't. I literally FLEW into the water and there were schools of two foot long dogfish sharks. There must have been a hundred of them. It was like being at Walker's Cay with all these beautiful sharks swimming all around you. It was amazing! Crew member Peter Donahue grabbed his camera and got a few shots of these beauties. (Ed.: Our apologies to Peter - the photos did not reproduce using our newsletter copy service and were deleted. We will attempt to have them available for viewing on our website.)
I am THANKFUL that there ARE sharks in our New England waters... HA!
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FROM YOUR SHORE DIVE COORDINATOR Ken Mulzet
Happy September everyone! I can't believe the year is almost over. I just returned from a great trip at Jonathan Bird's place up in Eastport Maine - check out the article in this issue. We have plenty of dives planned for September so just because Labor Day has come and gone don't pack up your gear!
See ya at the meeting. Ken
FROM YOUR PROGRAM DIRECTOR Al Bozza
There have been cancellations on our upcoming trip to Silver Banks to SWIM WITH HUMPBACK WHALES - February 9-16, 2002. Please contact me if you’d like more information! Al Bozza, (508) 384-1377 or
FROM YOUR SECRETARY Brandy Derickson
Anybody interested in taking my spot on Jonathan Bird's dolphin trip to the Bahamas in April? E-mail me or call (603)436-6424.
Also, for those of you that missed the first one, there will be another REEF Northeast Fish ID course from 10-12 on Saturday, October 27. This one will be held at Stellwagen Bank Marine Sanctuary headquarters in Scituate. If you are interested in attending, please e-mail or call as above.
ENVIRONMENTAL COASTSWEEP 2001 MISERY ISLAND CLEAN-UP from Alicia Lenci
Date:Saturday, September 22, 2001
Time:9:00 a.m.
Meet:Tucks Point Manchester, MA
Contact:Alicia Lenci (617) 889 1486
Free parking and free boat ride: Please call to confirm your space on the boat ride to the island. Non divers welcome. Assist in clean-up of “Cocktail Cove” and then spend time enjoying over 80 acres that make up this beautiful island: 3 miles of cut grass footpaths, diving, snorkeling, swimming, bird watching, scenic vistas, kayaking (bring your own). Bring your own lunch/refreshments to enjoy the day on the island.
Legend has it that in 1600's a shipwrecked man spent three cold December days alone before being rescued, thus the island was named Misery Island. In 1935, following a public campaign to keep Great Misery Island from becoming the site for an oil storage operation, 68 acres were acquired and given to the Trustees to create public reservation. After a final 5 acre acquisition in 1997, all 87 acres comprising Great and Little Misery Islands were owned and protected by the Trustees of Reservation.
The Massachusetts Office of Coastal Zone Management (CZM) organizes the annual statewide event, officially kicking off September 15, 2001. So be sure to mark your calendars and check out their website for specific cleanup locations and times. The cleanup list is always growing, so be sure to revisit. Every year the cleanups are led by a dedicated group of local coordinators. Last year, these local coordinators organized over 3,500 volunteers who collected almost 60,000 pounds of trash from over 130 locations covering 217.5 miles of Massachusetts coastline!
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Directions:
From RT 128 take exit 16 Pine Street
Take a left at the end of the ramp heading towards Manchester by the Sea.
Turn right onto RT 127 when Pine Street ends
Approximately 1/4 mile out of town turn left onto Harbor Street
There is a little island with a tree at the turn to Harbor Street
Go over the railroad tracks and turn left onto Tucks Point Road
Follow Tucks Point Road to the parking lot
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Commemorative ticket design by Stephanie Williams, NEADC Newsletter Editor
25th ANNIVERSARY GALA - DON'T MISS THE FUN!
The 25th Anniversary of the New England Aquarium Dive Club, Inc. is rapidly approaching. Join the Celebration!
Sunday, October 7, 2001
7:00 - 11:00 p.m.
New England Aquarium
DANCING to live entertainment of The Buck Dewey Big Band
Door Prizes:
Giant Ocean Tank Dive plus Behind the Scenes Tour for 6 Guests
Giant Ocean Tank Dive
Week’s Accommodations in the Florida Keys
Food,
Member Photography Displays
Special Guests
Club Memorabilia,.
TICKETS $25 AVAILABLE AT ALL NEADC MEETINGS or by mail
Send a check payable to
NEADC,
c/o Steve Groh
P. O. Box 70
Raynham, MA 02767.
For more information:
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ANNIVERSARY 2001 NEADC PHOTO CONTEST RULES
- Each entrant can submit up to three (3) photos for consideration.
- The submitted photo format should be 8” x 10” print. Framed pictures will be accepted however they need to be able to be scanned in to a color scanner.
- The deadline for entering the photo contest will be the formal meeting occurring in September of this year (September 19, 2001).
- The judging shall take place by the board of directors of the NEADC and will occur no later than the informal meeting of October of this year (October 3, 2001).
- The decision of the judges is final and a simple majority vote by the board shall determine the winner.
- We reserve the right to change the size of the photo in order to make it fit onto a badge. By doing so we only wish to ensure the best presentation possible.
- The winner will be announced at the 25th Anniversary Banquet.
- The winner’s photograph will be used as a backdrop for the 2001 participation nametags for the NEADC.
- Entrants are limited to amateur underwater photographers who are also NEADC members.
- Prizes for first and second runner up will be considered as well.
Here are some tips to keep in mind when creating entries:
Remember this is for a badge. If you have a year 2000 badge take a look at it and see how it is laid out. One of the issues we ran into when considering photographs for the backdrop was whether the name would be visible.
Part of the reason for this contest is to get people out diving and taking pictures. Ultimately this is for fun and a little healthy competition. So go out and take lots of pictures – even if you don’t win you will still have some great shots for your study!
Good luck and have fun!
GUIDELINES FOR SUBMITTING PHOTOGRAPHS FOR THE 25th ANNIVERSARY DISPLAY
- The material can include but is not limited to: underwater photographs, photos of club events, and historical photos related to NEADC.
- Make sure your picture is presentable. In other words you are responsible for providing any framing or hanging devices to present the photograph.
- You are responsible for claiming the picture at the conclusion of the banquet. We cannot assume responsibility for returning any photographs.
- If you would like to include a caption with the photo please feel free. Also any photo credit (name of photographer, name of photo, location, etc.) can either be submitted with the framing material or in a presentable format to display directly beneath or next to the photograph.
- We cannot guarantee that all material submitted would be displayed. However we will make every effort to ensure that anyone that submits material will have at least one photograph appear in the exhibit.
- Photographs submitted for the badge contest can also be displayed. If the submitter wishes for this then they should express their desire when submitting.
- All submissions are due by the formal meeting in September, which is September 19, 2001. Ken Mulzet is the organizer for both events so please present your submissions to him.
- Format for the photographs should be 8” x 10” print.
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UPCOMING TRIPS LES ESCOUMINS, QUEBEC, CANADA, September 20-25, 2001
Don Eva is coordinating a trip to Les Escoumins, Quebec, Canada, from Thursday, September 20th through Tuesday September 25th. Two chalet have already reserved but another can be arranged should you wish to go (6 max. in each). The rates for the chalets for the 5 nights are $460 Canadian for up to 4 people, $100 each additional person + about 10% tax (approximately $120US per person to be safe). We'll bring most of our food, but plan on having 1 or 2 dinners at local restaurants.
A couple of the dive and/or kayak launch sites charge a nominal ($5-10 Canadian) usage fee. You should be able to launch kayaks and maybe do a shallow dive right in front of the chalet.
Anyone else who wants to go, contact Don Eva, or 603-672-5608. We’re sorry not everyone interested can go that weekend. Seems like everyone had different schedules. Maybe next time?
TRIP REPORTMOREHEAD CITY TRIP 2001
The weekend diving was a case of "Good News, Bad News". TheGood News was the weather conditions were beautiful and the seas were calm,the Bad News was a week of NE winds turned the usual excellent visibilityinto varying degrees of soup depending on the site and proximity to theshoals.
On Saturday, 4 August, with the sun shining down and seas running 2-3 footmostly in swells we headed South to the wreck of the USS Schurz, sunk on 21June 1918 due to a collision with the SS Florida in the dark of night. TheFlorida was running blacked out due to the WWI U-Boat Threat. Today thewreck rests in 113 feet of water, mostly intact, and is the home fornumerous species of tropical and game fish and is often visited by Sharks,Turtles, Rays and an occasional Ocean Sunfish. Visibility was approximately 50-60 feet with a fair amount of particles in the water from the week of NE winds. The water temperature was 79 degrees at the bottom and 81 degrees at the surface.
For our second dive we headed over to the German Submarine, U-352, whichlies in 115 feet of water and is mostly intact. The U-352 went down on 9May 1942 due to being depth charged after an unsuccessful attempt attorpedoing the USCG Cutter Icarus during a desperate daylight attack, makingU-352's only successful sinking during her deployment, her own. She nowserves a different purpose, providing a home for many small fish andcrustaceans as well as being an oasis of life in a desert of sand. Locatedat various spots along her hull are resident spotted Moray Eels while a widevariety of bait, tropical and game fish occupy areas around and inside herpressure hull and below the bow and stern of the wreck. The wreck is oftenvisited by large Southern Stingrays and Sea Turtles but sharks are a raresight except in the early Spring. She rest on her keel with a starboardlist of about 45 degrees with all her hatches open to the sea. The insideis filled with a heavy layer of silt and mud that is easily stirred upknocking visibility to near zero and also house a rather large Conger Eelthat hangs around the Conning Tower tubes. Visibility was a murky 25-30 feet which some how seems appropriatefor this Ghost of World War II. There was a slight current running stern tobow making it an easy return to our anchor. The water temperature was 80degrees on the bottom and 81 degrees at 20 feet.